tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59562558698557829212017-09-26T04:13:05.764-06:00Laramie AudubonLibby Megnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047262619386069525noreply@blogger.comBlogger282125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956255869855782921.post-3352433839860339472017-09-24T21:22:00.001-06:002017-09-24T21:22:07.480-06:00Trip report: Laramie hotspotsThis past Saturday, we checked out two of Laramie's best birding spots: <a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L1773249" target="_blank">Greenhill Cemetery</a> and the <a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L523337" target="_blank">Greenbelt </a>at Optimist Park. Despite chilly temps and overcast skies, the birding turned out to be pretty good.<br /><br />Greenhill Cemetery was quite active, with a large warbler flock consisting of mostly Yellow-rumped Warblers and Wilson's Warblers. However, we also lucked into a <b>Nashville Warbler</b>. A flock of mixed sparrows, including several Clay-colored Sparrows, foraged in the community gardens. A Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker was present among several individuals of the Red-shafted subspecies. We also managed to get the nuthatch slam: Red-breasted, White-breasted, and Pygmy. In total, we encountered 36 species; our complete list is <a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S39348116" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br />The Greenbelt was not as birdy, but we did add a few species to our day list. Most notably, we had a distant flyby Lewis's Woodpecker. In total we had 27 species; our complete checklist is <a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S39348078" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-drI9BSN60Zg/Wch2DcBJxnI/AAAAAAAABY0/oHYhc6dFnCk_fpul5VGGMyVzU9PCrEcegCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_8138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-drI9BSN60Zg/Wch2DcBJxnI/AAAAAAAABY0/oHYhc6dFnCk_fpul5VGGMyVzU9PCrEcegCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_8138.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Libby Megnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047262619386069525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956255869855782921.post-21786083031402553622017-09-21T17:10:00.000-06:002017-09-21T17:10:08.252-06:00Migration Day at Commissary RidgeHawkWatch International (HWI) announces the beginning of the 15th season of raptor migration research at the <a href="https://hawkwatch.org/migration/item/108-commissary-ridge-hawkwatch" target="_blank">Commissary Ridge HawkWatch</a>, located 25 miles north of Kemmerer, Wyoming, and will be co-hosting a migration celebration event.<br /><br />This area hosts an amazing migration route for raptors traveling south for the winter, however few people are aware of the treasure in their own backyard.&nbsp; <a href="http://rockies.audubon.org/" target="_blank">Audubon Rockies</a>, <a href="https://hawkwatch.org/" target="_blank">HawkWatch International</a>, and the <a href="https://wgfd.wyo.gov/" target="_blank">Wyoming Game and Fish Department</a> have teamed-up to provide free public events on <b>October 6 and 7</b>.<br /><br />Daly Edmunds, Audubon’s Director of Policy and Outreach in CO and WY, talks about Migration Day, October 6 and 7. "Together, we want to raise awareness and appreciation for these species," said Edmunds. "This is the first time we are offering this event and are really excited to be able to offer a variety of events that not only bring live raptors for people to see up close but also gives people an insider’s look at why Commissary Ridge is such an amazing place to see thousands of raptors each year."<br /><br />For more information, visit <a href="http://www.hawkwatch.org/migrate">www.hawkwatch.org/migrate</a>.&nbsp; <b>Please register for these events so that organizers can stay in touch with you should weather conditions change.&nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B2GokNEMDIc/WcRGD9VTNBI/AAAAAAAABYI/Z_2vlT7chUowHGMrEnFLvGJ4a4M5EqLFwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Migration%2BDay%2Bat%2BCommissary%2BRidge_flier-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B2GokNEMDIc/WcRGD9VTNBI/AAAAAAAABYI/Z_2vlT7chUowHGMrEnFLvGJ4a4M5EqLFwCEwYBhgL/s640/Migration%2BDay%2Bat%2BCommissary%2BRidge_flier-1.png" width="494" /></a></div><b><br /></b>Click <a href="https://www.mediafire.com/file/tgvzsvaoat841ac/Migration%20Day%20at%20Commissary%20Ridge_flier.pdf" target="_blank">here</a> for a downloadable PDF version of the poster.<br /><br /><br /><u>Migration Day Events Schedule</u><br /><br /><b>Friday, Oct 6th</b> – Come enjoy presentations by HWI, Audubon, and WGFD Nongame Biologist Susan Patla. Patla will briefly present about how Game and Fish manages bird (avian) species in WY and about avian species of conservation concern. Snacks will be available as the public learns about the unique migration route that sees thousands of raptors come by Kemmerer every year, and tips shared to help you identify a variety of beautiful birds.&nbsp; Be ready to be amazed at seeing some of these live birds up close! Presentations will take place at the <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Lincoln+County+Library,+519+Emerald+St,+Kemmerer,+WY+83101/@41.7947273,-110.5423556,17z/data=!4m6!1m3!3m2!1s0x875130369a9e1dc9:0xe1cc40935347f470!2sLincoln+County+Library,+519+Emerald+St,+Kemmerer,+WY+83101!3m1!1s0x875130369a9e1dc9:0xe1cc40935347f470" target="_blank">Kemmerer Public Library</a>, beginning at <b>6 pm</b>.<br /><br /><b>Saturday, Oct 7th</b> – Start the day with a bird walk at Lake Viva Naughton, <b>8 am to 10 am</b>.&nbsp; If you have binoculars and/or spotting scope, you are welcome to bring them as we explore the lake and learn about the birds that call it home.&nbsp; Note: Audubon and WGFD will have limited equipment that people can use at the site.<br /><br /><b>Saturday, Oct 7th</b> – The public is invited to go hawkwatching with experts at <a href="https://hawkwatch.org/migration/item/108-commissary-ridge-hawkwatch" target="_blank">Commissary Ridge HawkWatch</a> from <b>11 am to 5 pm</b>. Participants are welcome to stay as long as they want – to learn about raptor identification and why this area provides such unique opportunities for HWI to conduct migration research. Trapping efforts will be underway and if successful, participants will get to see one or more of these impressive birds up close and learn about measurements collected to help understand the health of our raptors.<br /><br /><i>This post written by HWI/Audubon Rockies/WYGFD, I just put it up. --Libby</i>Libby Megnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047262619386069525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956255869855782921.post-74002212439775821202017-09-18T17:22:00.001-06:002017-09-18T17:22:39.410-06:00Trip report: Hutton Lake NWRDespite looming rainclouds, eighteen birders headed out to Hutton Lake NWR on Saturday, September 16. It turned out to be a good decision! We had a sprinkle of rain but then the cloud cover cleared.<br /><br />I noted more waterfowl on Hutton Lake during this trip than when I was out there a couple of weekends ago, but they were still mostly dabblers and relatively few diving ducks. There are definitely a lot more Eared Grebes out there now, and Redheads are increasing--so hopefully diving duck diversity will pick up in the next few weeks. We found six species of shorebirds as well.<br /><br />We accumulated 48 species; the highlights were Red-necked Phalaropes, Black-crowned Night-Herons, Horned Grebes, and cooperative Virginia Rail and Sora.<br /><br />Our full checklist is <a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S39212663" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kf-c1bznFdI/WcBTqfyv1DI/AAAAAAAABXg/jH9hoA8W4V8rp-bzy-jjFCz6b1YHnh4lwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_8086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kf-c1bznFdI/WcBTqfyv1DI/AAAAAAAABXg/jH9hoA8W4V8rp-bzy-jjFCz6b1YHnh4lwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_8086.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birding from the back side of Hutton. Photo by Libby Megna.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Libby Megnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047262619386069525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956255869855782921.post-10187318318530045662017-09-18T06:00:00.000-06:002017-09-18T06:00:05.018-06:00Upcoming talk: Buzz Hettick<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U1XXX0aTa1Q/WaNCtxz9tTI/AAAAAAAABUU/s1b-xIKeDBw-zjIBcXNpPFZZ3M7JRKyiwCLcBGAs/s1600/LOGO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U1XXX0aTa1Q/WaNCtxz9tTI/AAAAAAAABUU/s1b-xIKeDBw-zjIBcXNpPFZZ3M7JRKyiwCLcBGAs/s200/LOGO.jpg" width="200" /></a>Please join us next Wednesday, September 27, for a talk by Buzz Hettick from <a href="http://www.backcountryhunters.org/" target="_blank">Backcountry Hunters and Anglers</a>. Buzz will discuss issues related to public lands in Wyoming.<br /><br />As usual, we will meet in the <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Berry+Biodiversity+Conservation+Center,+Laramie,+WY+82072/@41.3148376,-105.5862662,17z/data=%213m1%214b1%214m5%213m4%211s0x8768901a60a07851:0xf0a3a98596b79a57%218m2%213d41.3148336%214d-105.5840775" target="_blank">Berry Center</a> auditorium. Parking adjacent to the building is free after 5 pm. Bird chat and refreshments begin at 6:30 pm, and the talks will begin at <b>7:00 pm</b>.Libby Megnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047262619386069525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956255869855782921.post-76295642669323943462017-09-17T06:00:00.001-06:002017-09-17T06:00:05.896-06:00Higher Ground FairLaramie Audubon will have a booth at the <a href="https://www.highergroundfair.org/" target="_blank">Higher Ground Fair</a>, 23 and 24 September. The fair will be open 9 - 6 am on Saturday and 9 - 4 pm on Sunday at the <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Albany+County+Fairgrounds,+2934-2994+S+3rd+St,+Laramie,+WY+82070/@41.2869006,-105.5934865,16z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x8768902ab2e9e629:0x8c3fc2d148e62933" target="_blank">Albany County Fairgrounds</a>.<br /><br />Visit our booth to find out about our upcoming field trips and programs. We love talking about birds in the area, hearing your bird stories, sharing the best local birding spots, and discussing local conservation projects and priorities. You can also join us for Bird Bingo to win prizes!<br /><br />Check out Higher Ground's website <a href="https://www.highergroundfair.org/lineup" target="_blank">here</a> to see a list of activities and vendors at the fair. Click <a href="https://www.mediafire.com/file/qdarbj4fdab43ao/HGF%20POSTER-8.5%20x%2011%20light.pdf" target="_blank">here</a> to download a copy of the poster.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bHEugpevDfw/WbqwenE9LTI/AAAAAAAABWs/qYGEzRIJFGwHBUGsmOcBAw47SCkN9wKkQCLcBGAs/s1600/HGF%2BPOSTER-8.5%2Bx%2B11%2Blight-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bHEugpevDfw/WbqwenE9LTI/AAAAAAAABWs/qYGEzRIJFGwHBUGsmOcBAw47SCkN9wKkQCLcBGAs/s640/HGF%2BPOSTER-8.5%2Bx%2B11%2Blight-1.png" width="494" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Libby Megnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047262619386069525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956255869855782921.post-3162246565203114552017-09-17T06:00:00.000-06:002017-09-17T06:00:00.178-06:00Upcoming trip: Laramie hotspotsJoin us on a journey through the best birding spots within Laramie this<b> Saturday, September 23</b>. We'll look for migrating songbirds, especially warblers and sparrows. We usually visit Greenhill Cemetery, Labonte Park, and the Greenbelt. This is a great outing for beginning birders or families. <br /><br />We will meet at <b>8 am</b> at <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Night+Heron+Books+%26+Coffeehouse,+107+E+Ivinson+St,+Laramie,+WY+82070/@41.312238,-105.595641,16z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x87688fe21511b0a7:0xb1df0d167c8dd5fb" target="_blank">Night Heron Books &amp; Coffeehouse</a> downtown to carpool. Bring binoculars and field guides, dress for the weather, and bring water and snacks. If you'd like to meet up with us later in the morning, feel free to <a href="mailto:laramie.audubon@gmail.com" target="_blank">email</a> to find out where we're at.<br /><br /><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/32045401@N08/10179609553/in/photolist-gvxagx-dn4WwP-dn4Z3w-dn4ZgQ-dn4ZnA-fUih84-HDpdVZ-nX85bF-Caa282-gAjDGh-nVEK4B-Bk45JT-Cf8QCb-gAkceY-gAk1L1-dZq7Gc-qjNzfi-AJ3NH6-ArrpK3-A65wsw-rUT1VT-wLVE8C-gEoUY6-xrkdWJ-gEomQF-HqVbkN-cg4XNm-qaTEZo-bBv3rw-e45Vff-AMseXT-qViHYL-o6p93M-sAetof-siYMYg-s2or2J-nbT16S-tzzJ8s-qssotn-H7Q364-GbRv4h-rM2TKf-sDtC5K-dZq87M-t4vsCt-tiRNi4-dZvQcw-sNdVoR-e45UUb-sJ2XJp" title="Lincoln's Sparrow"><img alt="Lincoln's Sparrow" height="453" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8535/10179609553_62eb697dfc_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>Libby Megnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047262619386069525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956255869855782921.post-20907777474989377272017-09-11T23:37:00.003-06:002017-09-11T23:42:41.173-06:00Citizens' Climate Lobby eventsOur local chapter of the <a href="https://citizensclimatelobby.org/" target="_blank">Citizens' Climate Lobby</a> has a couple of events this week. See the poster below if you'd like to get involved in climate action locally! Click <a href="https://www.mediafire.com/file/thmi7dusrpfrd6g/CCL%20poster.pdf" target="_blank">here </a>to download a copy of the poster. <br /><br /> Note that the Encana Auditorium is in the <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Energy+Innovation+Center,+Laramie,+WY+82072/@41.3147808,-105.5830504,16z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x8768901a7bc9259b:0x647c14fa21d3c657" target="_blank">Energy Innovation Center</a> at the University of Wyoming. The Advocacy Training event on the 15th will be a good chance to learn about the Carbon Fee and Dividend proposal. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uzw7a8Uo8jA/Wbdyf2boI_I/AAAAAAAABVo/qm4anDGT6QcYnA__GEWWKTLj0YJP6sRpgCLcBGAs/s1600/Capture.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="782" data-original-width="587" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uzw7a8Uo8jA/Wbdyf2boI_I/AAAAAAAABVo/qm4anDGT6QcYnA__GEWWKTLj0YJP6sRpgCLcBGAs/s1600/Capture.PNG" /></a></div><br />Libby Megnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047262619386069525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956255869855782921.post-21093655705881916802017-09-10T22:53:00.002-06:002017-09-10T22:53:34.649-06:00Trip report: Hereford Ranch<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RQfevfR8ADw/WbYWIv4EA7I/AAAAAAAABVM/LKAV1qJXs1c4J3W7i-sGjTCcqhSiH1-3ACLcBGAs/s1600/by%2BLaurel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RQfevfR8ADw/WbYWIv4EA7I/AAAAAAAABVM/LKAV1qJXs1c4J3W7i-sGjTCcqhSiH1-3ACLcBGAs/s320/by%2BLaurel.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Laurel Armstrong.</td></tr></tbody></table>On Saturday, September 9, twenty birders joined our trip to the <a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L272183" target="_blank">Wyoming Hereford Ranch</a> in Cheyenne. And it turned out to be a beautiful day with excellent birds!<br /><br />We found a total of 48 species. The highlights were a Blackpoll Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, and Red-eyed Vireo. We also found a Blue Grosbeak and Cassin's Kingbird--not unexpected for Laramie County, but not always easy to find. Sparrows were lacking but there were flocks of finches--including more Lesser Goldfinches than I have seen all in one place.<br /><br />The eBird checklist with photos of the rare warblers is <a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S39084015" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4EY4dTD362A/WbYVkCvzfLI/AAAAAAAABVE/Rhp-okRhikY2q1wthx3t3V6DZrr8pyjZwCLcBGAs/s1600/BLGR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="704" data-original-width="1448" height="310" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4EY4dTD362A/WbYVkCvzfLI/AAAAAAAABVE/Rhp-okRhikY2q1wthx3t3V6DZrr8pyjZwCLcBGAs/s640/BLGR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Grosbeak. Photo by Nate Behl.</td></tr></tbody></table>Libby Megnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047262619386069525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956255869855782921.post-70118262983423726222017-09-10T06:00:00.000-06:002017-09-10T06:00:16.584-06:00Upcoming trip: Hutton Lake NWRWe will bird <a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L272180" target="_blank">Hutton Lake National Wildlife Refuge</a> this <b>Saturday, September 16.</b> The refuge is one of the best places to bird during waterfowl migration. We should see dabbling and diving ducks of a variety of species, and hopefully will luck into some shorebirds. Hutton also hosted a Little Gull in September 2013, so keep a sharp eye out!<br /><br />We will meet at <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Night+Heron+Books+%26+Coffeehouse,+107+E+Ivinson+St,+Laramie,+WY+82070/@41.312238,-105.595641,16z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x87688fe21511b0a7:0xb1df0d167c8dd5fb" target="_blank">Night Heron Books &amp; Coffeehouse</a> at <b>8 am</b> to preemptively caffeinate and carpool. Please bring binoculars, a spotting scope if you have one, field guides, and snacks and drinks. Be prepared for windy conditions. Our trips to Hutton usually last until noon, but anyone is free to leave early if they bring their own vehicle or coordinate with carpool buddies.<br /><br /><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/32045401@N08/10028806546/in/photolist-ghdfMG" title="Little Gull"><img alt="Little Gull" height="488" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2850/10028806546_5a38d164be_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>Libby Megnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047262619386069525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956255869855782921.post-47046940098661120112017-09-07T12:00:00.000-06:002017-09-12T12:36:27.045-06:00Project Nest Watch report by the Laramie Girl Scouts<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0ZlZ0mgJKGA/WRo8HufA4hI/AAAAAAAADHk/VMdyjrSttTUqAMl0q3VTAldGY2zfq2_XwCLcB/s1600/hutton%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0ZlZ0mgJKGA/WRo8HufA4hI/AAAAAAAADHk/VMdyjrSttTUqAMl0q3VTAldGY2zfq2_XwCLcB/s320/hutton%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girl Scouts checking nest boxes at Hutton NWR, <br />photo by Lisa Cox</td></tr></tbody></table>Please join us for our upcoming evening program, next <b>Thursday, September 14</b>. &nbsp;<b>Bird chat starts at 5:30 pm, and the program will begin at 6 pm pm.</b>&nbsp;Please note the day and time change for this program, as compared to our regularly schedules evening programs.<br /><br />The Laramie Girl Scouts have been working with the Laramie Audubon Society all summer to check Tree Swallow nest boxes out at Hutton National Wildlife Refuge. &nbsp;They will report back to us on what they learned about bird nesting biology and ecology this summer, as well as describing their experiences with checking nest boxes, and giving us their findings from a summer spent on the refuge. <br /><br />We will meet in the Berry Center auditorium. Parking adjacent to the building is free after 5 pm. Bird chat and refreshments begin at 6:40 pm, and the talk will begin at 7:10 pm.Lsan88noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956255869855782921.post-76843633426711296842017-09-04T21:34:00.008-06:002017-09-04T21:35:45.806-06:00Laramie Bird Notes (8/24 - 9/4)Migrant activity has been really good over the past week, especially in the songbird department. Although the Laramie Valley doesn't generally get a great diversity of warblers in migration, a respectable 11 species were recorded this past week. <b>Orange-crowned</b> and <b>Yellow-rumped Warblers </b>seem to have made a decent push into town recently, while a few <b>Yellow Warbler</b> reports may be some of our last for this early migrating warbler. In addition to the expected migrant warblers, we also had reports of two unusual species for our area, <b>Black-and-White Warbler</b> and <b>Magnolia Warbler</b>. Good places to find migrating warblers include Greenhill Cemetery, UW campus, the Greenbelt, and generally anywhere with lots of trees. Rock Creek Canyon on the north tip of the Snowy Range can be quite good for warblers in fall migration.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wjua--vqKLo/Wa4Tg-5ZPKI/AAAAAAAABSw/6MEA4_7-4i0-S5J0zwRySi-7I83tHmD2gCLcBGAs/s1600/MAGW2-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1303" data-original-width="740" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wjua--vqKLo/Wa4Tg-5ZPKI/AAAAAAAABSw/6MEA4_7-4i0-S5J0zwRySi-7I83tHmD2gCLcBGAs/s320/MAGW2-1.jpg" width="181" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magnolia Warbler. Photo by Nate Behl.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>In other songbird news, a decent selection of vireo species has been found around town lately, including <b>Warbling</b>, <b>Red-eyed</b>, <b>Cassin's</b>, and <b>Plumbeous</b>. Sparrows are also on the move, with a few juncos (both <b>Gray-headed</b> and <b>Pink-sided</b>) and <b>Clay-colored Sparrows</b> being seen around town, as well as gobs of <b>Chipping Sparrows</b>. Chipping Sparrows have actually been moving out of the mountains since mid-July, on their way to wetter and more productive regions to complete their molt.<br /><br />Flycatchers have also put on a good show lately. In town, several <i>Empidonax</i> species have been moving through, including <b>Dusky</b>, <b>Hammond's</b>, <b>Gray</b>, and <b>Willow</b>, along with <b>Olive-sided Flycatcher</b> and lots of <b>Western Wood-Pewees</b>. Further out on the plains, <b>Western and Eastern Kingbirds</b> continue to move through. Be sure to check those yellow kingbirds closely for a Cassin's, or maybe even something more unusual!<br /><br />In addition to a few miscellaneous songbirds such as <b>Hermit Thrush</b>, <b>Gray Catbird</b>, and <b>Western Tanager</b> around town, crossbills are still around in decent numbers, though the big push of types 3 and 4 has calmed down a bit lately. Most <b>Red Crossbills</b> around right now are type 2. Even more exciting, an immature <b>White-winged Crossbill</b> was seen at Greenhill Cemetery in a flock of Reds, so be sure to pick through those crossbill flocks carefully! Crossbills moving through are really struggling to find food, so now is a good time to make sure your feeders are filled -- you might get lucky and have a flock visit for a while!<br /><br />Compared to last week we have several more waterbird species to report. <b>Baird's Sandpiper</b>, <b>Least Sandpiper</b>, <b>Solitary Sandpiper</b>, <b>Lesser Yellowlegs</b>, <b>Greater Yellowlegs</b>, and <b>Semipalmated Plover</b> are some of the more notable shorebird species. Other waterbirds include good numbers of <b>Franklin's Gulls</b> and <b>White-faced Ibis</b>. Despite modest effort at searching Hutton Lake and Lake Hattie for jeagers and rare gulls, nothing has been found. Those intent on finding these and other rare waterbird species should continue to monitor these lakes, as several reports from Colorado and other nearby states have really picked up recently.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yci8wCSHKQA/Wa4aSYYM53I/AAAAAAAABTA/gYhgTVjzwv0Ke_XnWAjzIA-NgFS9Zup_wCLcBGAs/s1600/bairds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="790" data-original-width="1600" height="158" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yci8wCSHKQA/Wa4aSYYM53I/AAAAAAAABTA/gYhgTVjzwv0Ke_XnWAjzIA-NgFS9Zup_wCLcBGAs/s320/bairds.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baird's Sandpiper. Photo by Shawn Billerman.</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;A couple noteworthy birds that didn't really fit well into the rest of the post include <b>Rufous Hummingbirds</b> (which will likely leave our area entirely in the next couple weeks) around the Berry Center on campus and a somewhat early <b>Merlin</b> on the Greenbelt.<br /><br /><br /><br />Codyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00774969552834379392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956255869855782921.post-41353836689131308672017-09-03T06:00:00.000-06:002017-09-03T06:00:15.084-06:00Upcoming trip: Hereford RanchOur next field trip is this <b>Saturday, September 09</b>. We'll head to the <a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L272183" target="_blank">Wyoming Hereford Ranch</a> on the east side of Cheyenne. The riparian areas at the Hereford Ranch host an incredible array of expected migrants and often deliver rarities. This trip is a particularly nice one for beginning birders.<br /><br />Meet downtown at <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Night+Heron+Books+%26+Coffeehouse,+107+E+Ivinson+St,+Laramie,+WY+82070/@41.312238,-105.595641,16z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x87688fe21511b0a7:0xb1df0d167c8dd5fb" target="_blank">Night Heron Books &amp; Coffeehouse</a> at <b>7 am</b> to caffeinate and carpool. We will get back to Laramie at noon--if you can only join us for part of the time, be prepared to drive your own vehicle.<br /><br />All Laramie Audubon field trips are free and open to the public; families are welcome. Bring binoculars, water and snacks, and dress for the weather.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kHpkWR0b0So/WaM4r3hpF1I/AAAAAAAABUE/2CMFnl-7xsoIw3Dz4LdLZ3jQTy7bM8k6QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kHpkWR0b0So/WaM4r3hpF1I/AAAAAAAABUE/2CMFnl-7xsoIw3Dz4LdLZ3jQTy7bM8k6QCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4597.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birding at Hereford last fall. Photo by Libby Megna.</td></tr></tbody></table>Libby Megnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047262619386069525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956255869855782921.post-87850282413977906402017-08-31T16:16:00.000-06:002017-08-31T16:16:01.061-06:00Outdoor Movie Screening: The Messenger<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ISnADHFlaL4/WZ31ZI3IhSI/AAAAAAAABTE/4EGEecHroOMdR5i4qfjY0s63UH1HEheNQCEwYBhgL/s1600/cf1ff1ee-5989-4ee5-a321-d740d02cc2e3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="849" data-original-width="550" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ISnADHFlaL4/WZ31ZI3IhSI/AAAAAAAABTE/4EGEecHroOMdR5i4qfjY0s63UH1HEheNQCEwYBhgL/s320/cf1ff1ee-5989-4ee5-a321-d740d02cc2e3.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>Kick off the fall with the Laramie Audubon Society and University of Wyoming Biodiversity Institute on <b>Thursday, September 7th</b> with an outdoor screening of the critically acclaimed documentary, <b>The Messenger</b>!<br /><br />With breathtaking visuals, The Messenger is an ode to the beauty and importance of the imperiled songbird, and what it means to all of us on both a global and human level if we lose them. Watch the trailer <a href="http://wyomingbiodiversity.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=145e70e8a8ed7d6ade0bcc719&amp;id=deb1d09a47&amp;e=3100d554e0">here.</a><br /><br />The event will take place on the South hillside of the <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Williams+Conservatory,+Laramie,+WY+82072/@41.3126819,-105.5847693,16z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x8768901a262d45d7:0xfb3eca2462a878fc" target="_blank">Williams Conservatory</a> on the UW campus. The conservatory is located south of the Aven Nelson Building on campus, at 9th and University. Join us at 7:30 pm for refreshments and open access to the conservatory; film starts at <b>8 pm</b>.<br /><br />Lsan88noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956255869855782921.post-87781031448892051682017-08-24T12:59:00.004-06:002017-08-24T19:34:54.073-06:00Laramie Bird Notes -- 8/17 - 8/24As fall migration starts to heat up, the Laramie Bird Notes will resume to bring you all the wonderful avian happenings in the Laramie Valley.<br /><br />Fall migration this year is starting off with a somewhat strange phenomenon: Pygmy Nuthatches, White-breasted Nuthatches, and at least four different Red Crossbill call types are all over town! Over the past week or so, both nuthatches have been seen at the Greenhill Cemetery, the Greenbelt, and near UW campus, which is pretty strange. It even seems that Red-breasted Nuthatches are much more abundant in town than usual. Type 2 (or Ponderosa Pine crossbills) have been the most abundant crossbill call type around town (especially on campus and at the cemetery), though types 5 (Lodgepole Pine), 4 (Douglas-fir), and 3 (Western Hemlock) have also been found recently.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-URX-7scPigc/WZ9-PKU4MLI/AAAAAAAABSI/iidjTi92eCUD15qrU1tS1xpclKMY-DhFgCLcBGAs/s1600/Pygmy-Nuthatch-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="873" data-original-width="1600" height="174" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-URX-7scPigc/WZ9-PKU4MLI/AAAAAAAABSI/iidjTi92eCUD15qrU1tS1xpclKMY-DhFgCLcBGAs/s320/Pygmy-Nuthatch-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dZHZn8oAtkQ/WZ9-WABwYTI/AAAAAAAABSM/D-lQ_WD_bO4_-fLN_M0YEWC64df5-lV2wCLcBGAs/s1600/Red-Crossbill-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1267" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dZHZn8oAtkQ/WZ9-WABwYTI/AAAAAAAABSM/D-lQ_WD_bO4_-fLN_M0YEWC64df5-lV2wCLcBGAs/s320/Red-Crossbill-1.jpg" width="253" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pygmy Nuthatches and Red Crossbills are on the move this fall.<br />Photos by Nate Behl.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>It seems likely that the influx of nuthatches and type 2 crossbills into town is due to the lack of a Ponderosa Pine cone crop in the surrounding mountain ranges, as these species depend heavily on the seeds from this tree in fall and winter. Similar reports from along the Front Range of Colorado, and the massive movement of type 2 crossbills into the Great Lakes and northeastern United States, suggest that these species are moving across much of the Rockies. Red Crossbill types 3 and 4 are also moving into the eastern United States, indicating that Douglas-fir and Western Hemlock cone crops are failing in the Pacific Northwest. For a nice primer on crossbill ecology and identifying crossbills to call type, check out this wonderful article from Cornell's Matt Young: <a href="http://ebird.org/content/ebird/news/recrtype/">http://ebird.org/content/ebird/news/recrtype/</a>.<br /><br />In more normal migrant news, migrant songbirds are really starting to move through town in decent numbers. In addition to the masses of Wilson's Warblers we get every fall, other migrants around town recently include Olive-sided Flycatcher, Western Wood-Pewee, Dusky Flycatcher, Gray Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Bullock's Oriole, Black-headed Grosbeak, Gray Catbird, Northern Waterthrush, Yellow Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, Brewer's Sparrow, and Lark Sparrow. Greenhill Cemetery and the Greenbelt have been pretty good for migrants lately and are worth checking.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-syNJeL5ZKmo/WZ8fwh8b_mI/AAAAAAAABRY/zolLOjYyiZ8GnsTJKNcwo3OShlBev3wbwCLcBGAs/s1600/Wilsons_warbler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1436" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-syNJeL5ZKmo/WZ8fwh8b_mI/AAAAAAAABRY/zolLOjYyiZ8GnsTJKNcwo3OShlBev3wbwCLcBGAs/s320/Wilsons_warbler.jpg" width="287" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It is happening again... Photo by Shawn Billerman.</td></tr></tbody></table>Waterbird migration is also underway, though the coverage of this group hasn't been great in our area lately. Nonetheless, Common Loons, Long-billed Dowitchers, and Baird's Sandpipers have been seen recently. Those looking to find rarities would do well to check places like Hutton Lake, Lake Hattie, Blake's Pond, and the ponds north of Laramie at the intersection of Highway 287 and Highway 34 near Bosler. In addition to a good diversity of migrating shorebirds, you may be rewarded with unusual species like Sabine's Gull, Little Gull, or maybe even a jaeger or two!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Y3NrN0tHhw/WZ8gc0GJsyI/AAAAAAAABRg/VgevGBl-VdIe2vj28aLaVhJG9QdtDEjgACEwYBhgL/s1600/little_gull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1189" data-original-width="1559" height="244" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Y3NrN0tHhw/WZ8gc0GJsyI/AAAAAAAABRg/VgevGBl-VdIe2vj28aLaVhJG9QdtDEjgACEwYBhgL/s320/little_gull.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Will you find a Little Gull this year? Photo by Shawn Billerman.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><br />Codyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00774969552834379392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956255869855782921.post-64944445707291865912017-08-17T15:26:00.003-06:002017-08-17T15:27:24.310-06:00September Membership Month<div style="color: #222222; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We hope you are all enjoying this beautiful August weather, and are looking forward to fall migrants that will soon be heading south through town.&nbsp; We at the Laramie Audubon Society are excited both for the influx of migrants and for September Membership Month! &nbsp;</span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you probably already know, we’ve changed our membership renewal to be once yearly, rather than every 365 days.&nbsp; So by renewing this September, your membership will be good until we send you a reminder for renewal again in August 2018. &nbsp;<i><b>You can send your check to our mailing address using the attached form, or you can go online to&nbsp;<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&amp;q=http://www.laramieaudubon.blogspot.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1503091106468000&amp;usg=AFQjCNFJFCp0Q2MvaJBjCkWBUMHWkp7sbQ" href="http://www.laramieaudubon.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.laramieaudubon.blogspot.<wbr></wbr>com</a>&nbsp;and click on the “JUST GIVE” button to renew your membership with a credit or debit card.&nbsp;</b></i></span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LAS continues to be an effective voice for conservation and education around Laramie thanks to the support of our members. With your LAS membership you will continue to receive the Laramie Audubon Society newsletter and support the projects and vision of your local Audubon chapter.&nbsp; We encourage you to receive your newsletter electronically, to save paper.</span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remember, September will be Membership Month for Laramie Audubon Society.&nbsp; If you haven’t already, renew your membership now and it will last until August 31, 2018.</span></div><div><br /></div>Lsan88noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956255869855782921.post-64316456783997906092017-08-17T06:00:00.000-06:002017-08-17T06:00:08.816-06:00Board meetingWe will hold a board meeting Wednesday, 23 August at 6 pm in the second floor conference room of the <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Berry+Biodiversity+Conservation+Center,+Laramie,+WY+82072/@41.3148336,-105.5840775,16z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x8768901a60a07851:0xf0a3a98596b79a57" target="_blank">Berry Center</a>. Our board meetings are open to the public; if you would like to see the inner workings of LAS, feel free to attend!Libby Megnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047262619386069525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956255869855782921.post-16064457577946317582017-08-05T07:44:00.002-06:002017-08-16T10:51:00.821-06:00Field Surveys Podcast<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--lnXOEOqA90/WYXLk4HfKlI/AAAAAAAADPc/oKN6pAvb9qkZ9J5MHqOXXh2YWpgBul2OwCLcBGAs/s1600/Clipboard01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="206" data-original-width="201" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--lnXOEOqA90/WYXLk4HfKlI/AAAAAAAADPc/oKN6pAvb9qkZ9J5MHqOXXh2YWpgBul2OwCLcBGAs/s200/Clipboard01.jpg" width="195" /></a>Last fall, Laramie Audubon funded a small grant request for a local podcast called Field Surveys. &nbsp;The goal of the podcast is to take listeners behind the scenes of how ecology and conservation really get done. &nbsp;We are excited to share that the first two episodes have been released! &nbsp;New episodes will come out monthly for the next year or so. <br /><br />You can listen to the podcast here:&nbsp;<a href="https://soundcloud.com/field-surveys-podcast">https://soundcloud.com/field-surveys-podcast</a><br /><br />It is also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Stitcher, so you can download it straight to your phone.<br /><br />Jesse Alston, the creator of Field Surveys, will be speaking at our monthly LAS meeting on Wednesday, October 25. &nbsp;Be sure to drop by if you want to learn more about this new podcast.<br /><br /><br />Lsan88noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956255869855782921.post-51175791974935362612017-07-24T12:37:00.002-06:002017-07-24T12:37:51.513-06:00Trip report: Rosy-finches in Snowies<i>This post is by Brian Waitkus, I'm just putting it up. - Libby</i><br /><br /><b>July 22, 2017</b><br />14 members and friends of Audubon gathered at the Sugarloaf Recreation Area, Lewis and Libby Lake parking area for a one mile hike to the Gap.&nbsp; The quest for the trip was to locate Brown Capped Rosy-finch, but other birds, mammals, and butterflies were also observed.&nbsp; The weather was great with cool temps and mostly blue skies.&nbsp; At the Gap, after 45 minutes, we were fortunate to locate a pair of Rosy-finch marking a new species for many in the group.<br /><br />The following birds were noted:<br />2 Brown Capped Rosy-finch&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 2 Robin<br />9 American Pipit including 3 chicks&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 2 Yellow Rumped Warbler<br />2 Wilson’s Warbler&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 1 Ruby Crowned Kinglet (call)<br />12 White Crowned Sparrow&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 2 Flicker<br />2 Townsend’s Solitary&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 1 Red Breasted Nuthatch<br />1 California Gull&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 3 Swallow (sp?)<br />1 Bald Eagle &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 1 Golden Eagle<br />1 Lincoln’s Sparrow&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 1 Vesper Sparrow<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vltxKcT_XgI/WXY9-amakRI/AAAAAAAABSQ/7qN8suQAoc8Y0C-jxnPWCCqr6rmyVtG6gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2284.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="881" data-original-width="1280" height="440" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vltxKcT_XgI/WXY9-amakRI/AAAAAAAABSQ/7qN8suQAoc8Y0C-jxnPWCCqr6rmyVtG6gCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_2284.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Laramie Audubon crew. Photo by Laurel Armstrong.</td></tr></tbody></table>Libby Megnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047262619386069525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956255869855782921.post-44586900599246979192017-07-24T10:52:00.001-06:002017-07-24T12:40:12.239-06:00Trip Report: Visit to the banding station<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bg_PRLM3MtU/WXYkkuqIjdI/AAAAAAAADNE/uBxYRntSKeAw6Nf5Y_FlSQAGVNhCVjzmACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170723_101850656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bg_PRLM3MtU/WXYkkuqIjdI/AAAAAAAADNE/uBxYRntSKeAw6Nf5Y_FlSQAGVNhCVjzmACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_20170723_101850656.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The group crowded around the banding table to observe. <br />Photo credit: Lindsey Sanders</td></tr></tbody></table><br />We had a very successful trip to the banding station this past Sunday! &nbsp;10 Laramie Audubon members and 6 Cheyenne Audubon members ventured out to the LIND banding station to see the station in action. &nbsp;Libby Megna taught us about the history of the banding station, and the importance of studying breeding birds to get a grasp on demography and survival of local species. <br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0v89o0pevRE/WXYkhBD8QUI/AAAAAAAADNA/om6I5qmqyYgj4TloYz9FzLsAHO-k7oOBACLcBGAs/s1600/20245991_10214768555275879_3165460785453382106_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0v89o0pevRE/WXYkhBD8QUI/AAAAAAAADNA/om6I5qmqyYgj4TloYz9FzLsAHO-k7oOBACLcBGAs/s320/20245991_10214768555275879_3165460785453382106_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hatch year Lincoln's Sparrow (left) and Song Sparrow (right).<br />Photo credit: Libby Megna</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br />We observed many birds being extracted from mist nets and banded--they caught 29 total birds at the station on Sunday! &nbsp;Species observed in the hand included Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Black-capped Chickadee, and &nbsp;more. &nbsp;The two most exciting species of the day were Northern Waterthrush and Rufous Hummingbird! &nbsp;We got many opportunities to see hatch year birds compared to adults, and to observe the differences between hatch years of the same species, which was a treat. &nbsp;Along with birds caught in the mist nets, some of our other birding highlights included Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Sandhill Crane, Belted Kingfisher, Cordilleran Flycatcher, Bullock's Oriole, and Williamson's Sapsucker. <br /><br />The LIND banding station runs every 10 days for the entire breeding season, so we hope to be able to take trips like this again in the future.Lsan88noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956255869855782921.post-7292672844697699392017-07-16T08:00:00.000-06:002017-07-16T08:00:01.374-06:00Upcoming trip: Visit to bird banding station<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bvhMyy1lw70/WRyy4eg8W8I/AAAAAAAABNU/aDcs_yXCnXUEn5EsTFSh3tq1VZOglr-RQCLcB/s1600/IMG_0960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bvhMyy1lw70/WRyy4eg8W8I/AAAAAAAABNU/aDcs_yXCnXUEn5EsTFSh3tq1VZOglr-RQCLcB/s400/IMG_0960.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second-year female Bullock's Oriole. Photo by Libby Megna.</td></tr></tbody></table>This <b>Sunday, July 23</b>, we will head out to the MAPS banding station at Fred Lindsey's place near Centennial. This banding station is run by <a href="http://rockies.audubon.org/" target="_blank">Audubon Rockies</a>, and is part of the North American <a href="http://www.birdpop.org/pages/maps.php" target="_blank">Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survival</a> banding network. The goal of this banding program is to monitor demographics--survival and reproduction--of breeding birds. We will learn about how birds are banded, what we can learn from banded birds, and how we are able to determine the age of birds by looking at details of their plumage. Families and kids are welcome!<br /><br />The banding station is on private property that is the best place for Northern Waterthrushes and Gray Catbirds in the county. This is a good opportunity to see and learn about bird banding as well as visit a great place. Meet Lindsey Sanders at <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Coal+Creek+Coffee/@41.3109814,-105.5978674,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x87688fe2210604b3:0xd41a68be6ddfce!8m2!3d41.3109774!4d-105.5956787" target="_blank">Coal Creek Coffee</a> downtown at <b>8 am</b> to caffeinate and carpool. This is a nice chance for kids to get up close and personal with birds, but be aware that both the grass pollen and mosquitoes can be intense at this location, although usually aren't too bad at the banding station itself. Feel free to hang out at the banding station, but if you want to walk the net lanes you will be traipsing through standing water. Be prepared with mosquito repellant and appropriate clothes (long sleeves recommended), antihistamines, and boots or shoes that you don't mind getting wet.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />Libby Megnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047262619386069525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956255869855782921.post-25893689631432390222017-07-11T22:48:00.001-06:002017-07-12T15:38:22.793-06:00RESCHEDULED: Rosy Finch Field Trip<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><i>UPDATE</i></b><span style="font-family: inherit;">: </span><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Rosy Finch field trip has been rescheduled! &nbsp;The road from the highway to the parking area at Lewis &amp; Libby Lakes will still be closed this weekend, so we are pushing the field trip date back to July 22. &nbsp;<i>We will meet at the Lewis &amp; Libby Lakes</i></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>&nbsp;parking lot at 9am!</i></span></b></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our next field trip is this&nbsp;<b>Saturday, <strike>July 15</strike> July 22</b>. &nbsp;We'll head up to the Snowies to look for Brown-capped Rosy Finch, and other high-elevation summertime species.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XYtN68rloi4/WRo6uM6cRHI/AAAAAAAADHg/GXt732UXLfUMCd5HNKoy1ra-AhRNsDG-ACLcB/s1600/BCRF_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XYtN68rloi4/WRo6uM6cRHI/AAAAAAAADHg/GXt732UXLfUMCd5HNKoy1ra-AhRNsDG-ACLcB/s320/BCRF_2.JPG" width="302" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Black-capped Rosy Finch,&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">photo by Shawn Billerman</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;">We will park at the Lewis and Libby Lakes parkings areas and head down a walking trail of one mile to the north end of South Gap Lake. &nbsp;The area may still have some snow, could be wet, and crosses sections of boulder fields. &nbsp;The hike will go up to 11,000 feet.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Brown-capped Rosy-Finch is a species of concern because it breeds only in the Snowy Mountains and on mountain peaks in Colorado and northern New Mexico. If the current global warming trend continues, its mountain habitat islands are likely to shrink and to be invaded by other avian species that are currently excluded by the harsh conditions. In spring and summer, Brown-capped Rosy-Finches often feed at the edge of snowdrifts, where seeds that were blown onto the snowpack during winter emerge from the melting snow cover. &nbsp;In past years we have done surveys for rosy finches in this area, but this year we will just be heading out to see if we can find any.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><b>Meet at the Lewis and Libby Lakes parking area at 9 am.</b> Please bring binoculars and/or spotting scope, a field guide, warm clothes and rain gear, good hiking shoes, hat, lunch and snacks, water, sunblock, and insect repellent.<br /><br />All Laramie Audubon field t<span style="font-family: inherit;">rips are</span> free and open to the public; families are welcome.<br /><div><br /></div>Lsan88noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956255869855782921.post-36666054759974753442017-07-09T21:13:00.002-06:002017-07-09T21:13:33.953-06:00POSTPONED: Project Nest Watch report by Laramie Girl ScoutsPOSTPONED: &nbsp;The Laramie Girl Scouts have been monitoring Tree Swallow nest boxes at Hutton NWR this summer. &nbsp;They were going to give a report on their monitoring in late-July, but this has been rescheduled for September. &nbsp;Stay tuned for the new date of their report!Lsan88noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956255869855782921.post-85562182791179688092017-07-09T21:07:00.002-06:002017-07-18T22:28:30.265-06:00Trip Report: Amphibian Search<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jr7nfwIc3tM/WWLu8UgPKWI/AAAAAAAADLI/2Fpg4vpxq2YwWPpgXXSujGXvDwdOqCF9ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170708_092749510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jr7nfwIc3tM/WWLu8UgPKWI/AAAAAAAADLI/2Fpg4vpxq2YwWPpgXXSujGXvDwdOqCF9ACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_20170708_092749510.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andy showing a Leopard frog tadpole to a young herper. <br />Photo credit: Lindsey Sanders</td></tr></tbody></table>Last Saturday, eight enthusiastic LAS members went on an a search for amphibians in the Laramie Range. &nbsp;And we were successful! &nbsp;Led by Andy Gygli, a graduate student at the University of Wyoming, we ventured around a pond in Happy Jack and found Leopard frog and Tiger Salamander tadpoles, as well as an adult Leopard Frog! &nbsp;We also saw three garter snakes along the banks of the pond. <br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XeRPzD-UwQQ/WWLu-7uHM2I/AAAAAAAADLM/0HywEw779lcEiNmxhwJjxLCDSTCP-QxAQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170708_104330225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XeRPzD-UwQQ/WWLu-7uHM2I/AAAAAAAADLM/0HywEw779lcEiNmxhwJjxLCDSTCP-QxAQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_20170708_104330225.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An adult Leopard Frog. &nbsp;Photo credit: Lindsey Sanders</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><br />We hope to have more herp trips like this in future, to learn more about the amphibians and reptiles of Wyoming!<br /><br /><br />Lsan88noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956255869855782921.post-26034221131491454352017-07-01T08:00:00.000-06:002017-07-01T08:00:18.053-06:00Upcoming trip: Amphibians of the Laramie Range<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zkt6CFLGFzo/WRC-YNSOjyI/AAAAAAAABMI/qYrFvwV57wMX3xK_rxwebSCXfrJ0FOyzwCLcB/s1600/toad2011-wyndd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zkt6CFLGFzo/WRC-YNSOjyI/AAAAAAAABMI/qYrFvwV57wMX3xK_rxwebSCXfrJ0FOyzwCLcB/s320/toad2011-wyndd.jpg" width="320" /></a>Recent small grants recipient Andy Gygli will lead an amphibian herping trip in the Laramie Range on <b>Saturday, July 8</b>. We'll visit a pond in the Happy Jack area, and hope to see Tiger salamanders, boreal chorus frogs, and maybe even some Northern leopard frogs! We'll do some birding on the hike to the pond as well. The hike will be ~2 miles round trip, so come prepared for a little hiking to access the site. We'll need to bleach equipment before splashing around to look for herps, so please wear old clothes that can get messy.<br /><br />We will meet at <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Coal+Creek+Coffee/@41.3109814,-105.5978674,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x87688fe2210604b3:0xd41a68be6ddfce!8m2!3d41.3109774!4d-105.5956787" target="_blank">Coal Creek Coffee</a> at <b>8 am</b> to preemptively caffeinate and carpool. Please bring rubber boots or hiking shoes that can get wet, binoculars, field guides, snacks and drinks. We'll likely be back in town around noon, but if you need to come back early you can if you bring your own vehicle or coordinate with carpool buddies.Libby Megnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13047262619386069525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5956255869855782921.post-10008459286591646482017-06-24T13:30:00.000-06:002017-06-24T13:30:01.009-06:00Trip Report: Rock Creek CanyonFive birders managed to dragged themselves out of bed quite early this morning for a hike in Rock Creek Canyon. I was hesitant to schedule the trip this early for fear of losing possible participants, but, in the end, I think we were all quite happy with the decision. The dawn chorus in the canyon was simply overwhelming.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cDCO4_HKqjE/WU64hB7jObI/AAAAAAAABOQ/iCBCXNgtnu48lymqbFkNabOZXg0FFy8tgCLcBGAs/s1600/rockcreek1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cDCO4_HKqjE/WU64hB7jObI/AAAAAAAABOQ/iCBCXNgtnu48lymqbFkNabOZXg0FFy8tgCLcBGAs/s320/rockcreek1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking for a singing Northern Waterthrush...and a MacGillivray's Warbler...and a Veery...</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The primary impetus for this trip was the chance to see uncommon breeders that are difficult to find elsewhere this time of year. We got great looks at most species in this category and heard all the other ones we were hoping for. Highlights included Fox Sparrow, American Redstart, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Northern Waterthrush, Veery, Swainson's Thrush, and Gray Catbird.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-odxSzALdE0A/WU65g6FMerI/AAAAAAAABOY/PFXr4guIybsT57GabhtUH0PdFbwGWDR0wCLcBGAs/s1600/rockcreek3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1295" data-original-width="1600" height="259" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-odxSzALdE0A/WU65g6FMerI/AAAAAAAABOY/PFXr4guIybsT57GabhtUH0PdFbwGWDR0wCLcBGAs/s320/rockcreek3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Singing (Slate-colored) Fox Sparrow.</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;The group also got incredible looks at some of the more common yet delightful species including many Evening Grosbeaks, Western Tanager, MacGillivray's Warbler, Hammond's Flycatcher, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, and Spotted Sandpiper. <br /><br />As always, the butterflies, wildflowers, and non-avian wildlife (including 3 moose) in the canyon did not disappoint.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RcUuYjVPjTI/WU67OcRr_GI/AAAAAAAABOk/XrJTRNOQEQo-lnDaaSyNHtRelBzXGpVlwCLcBGAs/s1600/rockcreek2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1293" data-original-width="1600" height="258" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RcUuYjVPjTI/WU67OcRr_GI/AAAAAAAABOk/XrJTRNOQEQo-lnDaaSyNHtRelBzXGpVlwCLcBGAs/s320/rockcreek2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted Sandpiper.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />(All pictures in this post are from Laurel Armstrong)<br /><br /><br /><br />A full checklist of the species encountered is listed below:<br /><br />2 Common Merganser<br />1 Great Blue Heron<br />1 Red-tailed Hawk<br />1 Spotted Sandpiper<br />2 Mourning Dove<br />4 Broad-tailed Hummingbird<br />1 Red-naped Sapsucker<br />1 Northern Flicker<br />1 Olive-sided Flycatcher<br />4 Western Wood-Pewee<br />8 Hammond's Flycatcher<br />2 Dusky Flycatcher<br />3 Cordilleran Flycather<br />15 Warbling Vireo<br />1 Steller's Jay<br />1 Clark's Nutcracker<br />1 American Crow<br />2 Tree Swallow<br />6 Mountain Chickadee<br />5 House Wren<br />2 Golden-crowned Kinglet<br />5 Ruby-crowned Kinglet<br />5 Veery<br />5 Swainson's Thrush<br />10 American Robin<br />1 Gray Catbird<br />2 Cedar Waxwing<br />3 Northern Waterthrush<br />6 MacGillivray's Warbler<br />1 American Redstart<br />8 Yellow Warbler<br />6 Yellow-rumped Warbler<br />1 Chipping Sparrow<br />3 Fox Sparrow<br />2 Song Sparrow<br />1 Green-tailed Towhee<br />8 Western Tanager<br />4 Black-headed Grosbeak<br />3 Lazuli Bunting<br />6 Pine Siskin<br />4 American Goldfinch<br />15 Evening Grosbeak Codyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00774969552834379392noreply@blogger.com0